by Peter Bond – Main Photo: Cranleigh Rotarians with their display of refreshments for the runners.
The 2023 Santa Dash event was as enjoyable as ever. Over 120 Santas and elves completed the 5k or 10k course from Stocklund Square, along the Downs Link (through the mud and puddles) and back, having first completed a festive warm up led by Lucy Bushnell of Sunfit PT and Sports Massage.
Santa and his trusty reindeer Rudolph set the runners on their way whilst Glebelands School choir sang carols to the crowd. Mince pies were kindly donated by Cranleigh Sainsbury’s and other delicious refreshments were provided and served by Cranleigh Rotarians to be enjoyed by runners and spectators alike.
The profits from the event will be donated to Glebelands School.
Grateful thanks go to the event sponsors: Cranleigh Golf & Country Club, Oakwood Business Consultants, and Sunfit PT and Sports Massage. Huge thanks also go to Cranleigh Lions, Guildford Tipper Hire, Sian T Photography, and The Cycle Wizard, as without their support and involvement the Dash would not have been such a success.
The Rotary Carol Concert held on 13 December was a great success, with a full house packing the Cranleigh Baptist Church. Choirs from four local schools – Ewhurst Infants, Park Mead Primary, St Cuthbert Mayne Primary and Cranleigh Church of England Primary – sang a variety of carols and popular Christmas songs. The Godalming Town Band provided accompaniment for the communal carols as well as seasonal music at the beginning and end.
The event was introduced by David Barry, President of Cranleigh Rotary, and Jon Poole, the Youth and Children’s Worker for the Baptist Church, was the compere for the evening. Jon also inspired the young audience at the end by speaking about the significance of Christmas and the birth of Jesus. There was a retiring collection which raised £110 for the Cranleigh Community Fund.
